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Focused ultrasound enables selective actuation and Newton-level force output of untethered soft robots

Author

Listed:
  • Bo Hao

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Xin Wang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Yue Dong

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Mengmeng Sun

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Chen Xin

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Haojin Yang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Yanfei Cao

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Jiaqi Zhu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Xurui Liu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Chong Zhang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Lin Su

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Bing Li

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Li Zhang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin NT
    The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Untethered miniature soft robots have significant application potentials in biomedical and industrial fields due to their space accessibility and safe human interaction. However, the lack of selective and forceful actuation is still challenging in revolutionizing and unleashing their versatility. Here, we propose a focused ultrasound-controlled phase transition strategy for achieving millimeter-level spatially selective actuation and Newton-level force of soft robots, which harnesses ultrasound-induced heating to trigger the phase transition inside the robot, enabling powerful actuation through inflation. The millimeter-level spatial resolution empowers single robot to perform multiple tasks according to specific requirements. As a concept-of-demonstration, we designed soft robot for liquid cargo delivery and biopsy robot for tissue acquisition and patching. Additionally, an autonomous control system is integrated with ultrasound imaging to enable automatic acoustic field alignment and control. The proposed method advances the spatiotemporal response capability of untethered miniature soft robots, holding promise for broadening their versatility and adaptability.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Hao & Xin Wang & Yue Dong & Mengmeng Sun & Chen Xin & Haojin Yang & Yanfei Cao & Jiaqi Zhu & Xurui Liu & Chong Zhang & Lin Su & Bing Li & Li Zhang, 2024. "Focused ultrasound enables selective actuation and Newton-level force output of untethered soft robots," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49148-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49148-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ren Hao Soon & Zhen Yin & Metin Alp Dogan & Nihal Olcay Dogan & Mehmet Efe Tiryaki & Alp Can Karacakol & Asli Aydin & Pouria Esmaeili-Dokht & Metin Sitti, 2023. "Pangolin-inspired untethered magnetic robot for on-demand biomedical heating applications," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Bo Zuo & Meng Wang & Bao-Ping Lin & Hong Yang, 2019. "Visible and infrared three-wavelength modulated multi-directional actuators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Wenqi Hu & Guo Zhan Lum & Massimo Mastrangeli & Metin Sitti, 2018. "Small-scale soft-bodied robot with multimodal locomotion," Nature, Nature, vol. 554(7690), pages 81-85, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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